ARMY TAKES THAILAND

THAILAND'S ARMY commander took over the reins of government from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after staging a military coup in the Thai capital on Tuesday. An announcement on national television, signed by Army Commander-in-Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, said martial law had been declared across Thailand. He ordered all troops to report to their duty stations and not leave without permission from their commanders.

THAILAND'S ARMY commander took over the reins of government from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after staging a military coup in the Thai capital on Tuesday. An announcement on national television, signed by Army Commander-in-Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, said martial law had been declared across Thailand. He ordered all troops to report to their duty stations and not leave without permission from their commanders.

Earlier, Sondhi's troops circled Thaksin's offices with tanks, seizing control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority loyal to the king.

The announcement declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform" with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance.